Movers and shakers in arts world reflect and look ahead

By Tom Keyser
Staff writer
We gave our writers a chance to reflect upon the year in arts and entertainment in the Capital Region on Sunday and today.

Now, we give folks involved in that world a voice. We asked them to responded to two questions:

What was the highlight of 2009?

What do you hope for in 2010?

Howard Glassman

General manager of The Linda, WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio

“The highlight had to be that we were able to maintain our ticket sales here at The Linda in spite of an unpredictable economy. Oh, and the Chandler Travis Philharmonic show here was pretty damn great as well!

“Hope for 2010? Well, at some point in the new year we’ll be starting a WAMC Speaker Series at The Linda. I’d like to see that hit the ground running. Our Third Thursday Food For Thought Film Series has become bigger and better over the last year, and I’m excited to see that continue to grow. And, of course, I’m always jazzed about the up-and-coming artists and established acts that we’ve gotten in the past and are confirming for 2010.”

Matthew Hamilton

Artist from Niskayuna and art-conservation photographer

“I preface this by saying that I have a 2-year-old, so most of my arts entertainment has come in the form of watching my little girl becoming a budding artist herself. … I did get a chance to see a few exhibits. By far, the Rockwell Kent exhibit at the … State Museum was my favorite — great illustrations and beautiful landscape paintings, and prolific, too.

“As for the new year, I know there will be many great shows in the region. I look forward to seeing them. But, if I had one hope, it’s for more venues to open up for local artists — the more the better.Peter Lesser

Executive director of The Egg

“Spending so much time here at The Egg with 140 performing-arts events in the past year, I can personally recall only the highlights of performances here. And there were many that stood out.

“December: the subdudes’ all-acoustic encore. … The Derek Trucks Band final show as a band (before going on hiatus) …

“As for 2010? As many highlights as 2009.”

Matthew Loiacono

Musician and co-founder of Collar City Records

“Highly memorable moments of 2009 included Cynic and Origin (separately, although a tour together would melt brains!) at Northern Lights, and both ‘EXIT Dome’ concerts to benefit WEXT. Cuddle Magic was incredible at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga Springs, and the Alta Mira CD Release Experiment was killer. Who could forget LarkFest this year? Perfect weather, great turnout and a solid good time!

“For next year, I hope that we’ll continue to see more out-of-town acts teaming up with better and better local bands. We could always use more venues and even more elaborate, special one-time-only performances. Have at it, friends! I know you can do it!”

Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill

Producing artistic director at Capital Repertory Theatre

“In terms of the highlight, I would say the fact that so many arts organizations managed to make it through one of the most difficult economies in the past 50 years is remarkable. With so many professional theaters across the country closing, I consider keeping the lights on a real highlight and reflection of the community’s goodwill and commitment to the arts.

“In terms of reminding us all that art is relevant, I would have to cite the Albany High School production of ‘The Laramie Project.’ When art and social circumstance come together to create complex community discourse, that is something to celebrate.

“For 2010, my hope is that our country find more ways to recognize and support the arts as an important part of our lives — our economies — and our minds by making the arts part of stimulus packages, urban-revitalization projects and school curriculums. Creativity will be the key in America reinventing itself, and the arts can play a big part in encouraging imaginative and critical thinking for the future.”

David Alan Miller

Music director and conductor of Albany Symphony Orchestra

“Maggie Cahill’s production of ‘My Fair Lady’ at Capital Repertory Theatre was dazzling. Not only did she mount a perfect production of one of the greatest and most difficult musicals, but she also found four excellent actors who were equally adept at playing the piano — or was that four pianists who were equally adept at acting? Watching them tight-rope walk between piano-playing and acting was sheer joy.

“For the coming year, I’m extremely excited about our new and improved ‘American Music Festival’ that will take place over four very intense days from May 19-22 at EMPAC. It will feature important premieres; a Dogs of Desire performance; appearances by one of the world’s greatest solo percussionists, Colin Currie; the recording premiere of John Harbison’s ‘Gatsby Suite’; exciting collaboration with Hackett Middle School, and much, much more.

“My hope for the coming year is that everyone in our arts-loving community will take strong action to safeguard our precious arts institutions, not merely by attending events but also by becoming part of the family and subscribing (or, in the case of museums like the Albany Institute of History & Art, becoming a member). That would be the greatest gift our community could give to the arts.”

Mary Anne Nelson

Associate professor and director of the music industry program at The College of Saint Rose

“The highlight was the success of the Premiere Performance Series at The College of Saint Rose Massry Center for the Arts that included the Johnny Mandel tribute concert with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra and Ann Hampton Callaway, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the Parnas-Serkin Trio and Stefon Harris’ Blackout.

“Don’t leave out the Capital Region’s Got Talent competition at Revolution Hall that showcased amazing singer-songwriters who blended talent, genre and fan bases over the course of five weeks.

“My hope for 2010 is continued interest in and support of live popular music among college-age musicians and audiences. These young people are part of a vibrant music scene that exists under the radar at house shows and in their virtual world of promotion and distribution. I hope for more opportunities and larger audiences to hear their music in venues that focus on the music as well as the fans.”

Steve Pierce

Executive director of NY Media Alliance, which operates The Sanctuary for Independent Media

“I don’t get out as much as I used to, and my memory isn’t what it once was, so for me the highlights of the year were the two gospel shows at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in December. Our special edition of the ‘Live From Lock One’ music-performance series featured gospel artists from Albany, Schenectady and Troy — the Heavenly Echoes Gospel Singers, the men’s chorus from Lansingburgh’s Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, vocalist Ann Terrell and the Duryee Men’s Chorus from Schenectady’s AME Zion Church. Like most of the audience, I was astounded by their incredible artistry and deep professionalism. Visit www.MediaSanctuary.org for links to the audio and video recordings we made.

“A week later, we hosted Reverend Billy and his Church of Life After Shopping from New York City — another inspiring performance also available online at our Web site.

“My hope for 2010 is that we transcend the narrow view of arts as an economic engine for the Capital Region, and instead embrace creative culture as an antidote for the militarism and materialism that threaten our children’s future. There are some amazing artists and arts organizations in this region. Let’s celebrate and support their independent voices.”

“The highlight is that the arts are still here. 2009 was the most difficult year for arts funding in recent history. Most of the nonprofit arts presenters and organizations in the region have seen earned revenue and state funding from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) decrease, while their members and patrons are being squeezed from all sides. Private funders have stepped in to help, and arts groups have been especially creative in trimming already-lean budgets, but not without constricting opportunities to experience all art forms and the ability of our region’s artists and arts professionals to make a living presenting us with those opportunities.

“Despite — or perhaps, in light of — that, the emergence of an experimental music scene in Saratoga Springs, more ambitious presentations at EMPAC, and MASS MoCA’s 25-year installation of Sol LeWitt’s wall drawings (which opened near the end of 2008) stand out among the many high points of the regional arts scene.

“I expect that funding difficulties will continue in 2010, especially for arts organizations that lack the glamour or splash of the larger venues. … But in the spirit of the season, I hope that community leaders will embrace the arts through partnerships of state funding, county and municipal support, help from businesses, and individual patronage and donations. The arts play a central role in the creative economy and cultural tourism to which the Capital and Saratoga regions are turning for economic revitalization. … Locally, I look forward to the 2010 opening of Skidmore College’s new Zankel Music Center and hope for adventurous programming to match its bold design.”

Dan Wilcox

Poet and peace activist

“The highlight was the 12-hour Albany WordFest in April at the UAG Gallery on Lark Street. WordFest is an annual event sponsored by AlbanyPoets.com, but this was the first year it attempted a 12-hour overnight event. The variety and quality of the poets and performers kept the night word-full into the break of dawn.

“My hope for 2010 is that the eclectic and vivacious diversity in the arts scene in the Capital Region will continue — everything from First Friday to the Albany Symphony, from poets to paintings to puppets. It’s a great place to be an artist.”

Amy Williams

President of the Arts Center of the Capital Region

“The highlight was Troy Night Out, held on the last Friday of the month. And the Arts Center regularly has between 900 to 200 visitors each month; that is a highlight!

“My hope for arts and entertainment in 2010 is that more and more people discover the rich and varied arts and cultural offerings the Capital Region has to offer.”

Tom Keyser can be reached at 454-5448 or by e-mail at tkeyser@timesunion.com.